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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi Friends,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This weekend, we will be holding a reorganizing meeting for the Baltimore County Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. As you may be aware, the affiliate Board of Directors voted in January 2022 to reorganize the chapter. A committee of individuals have been working on this, and we believe that we are ready to bring the chapter forward.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 7 – 8:15AM, we will hold a meeting and breakfast to formally reorganize the chapter. All are welcome to attend the meeting, but those wishing to vote on matters pertaining to reorganization, including adopting the constitution, running for and voting for positions, and otherwise being recognized to speak would have to signal their intent to be part of the reorganization meeting. The National Organization has given us guidance how to do this, and it is through the payment of $1 as a tangible signal of intent and willingness to participate. Please bring your $1 in cash to the meeting. Please also be prepared to provide your contact information at that time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meanwhile, we expect that some of the people interested in being involved in the reorganizing meeting and wanting to become members of the chapter once reorganized may not have been members of the Federation previously or may have had membership lapse for more than two years. Our national membership policy calls for us to work with those interested in membership for the first time or after a long absence before voting them into membership. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We would be implementing these provisions a little differently in this organizing meeting. To that end, those who have not yet become a member of NFB or whose membership has lapsed may join the chapter, provided the group votes to reorganize it, on Saturday morning.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In addition, we will be holding a membership ceremony during the weekend for anyone in Maryland who has gone through the membership process (attended at least two Federation activities recently, sought to become a member, met with and engaged with a membership of the chapter, division, or affiliate membership committees, etc.) We recognize that several individuals have been waiting to be memberized, and we will do so in conjunction with the convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Those wishing to become members of the NFB who are attending the convention should give their name – and if not have already done so – paid their dues to the Registration Table in the Fitzgerald North Foyer. We will forward your dues to your local chapter or division on your behalf.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We hope to see you on Saturday and look forward to building the Federation with you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>